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Facing Our Fears: Bomb Scare in India
by Katherine Kehler
We were on one of those "around the world in 10 days" trips. It was December and my husband, Marvin, and I, along with another couple, had been on the road - actually in the air - for five days. We were getting weary, and I was eager to get home to complete my Christmas preparations.
We had been in Ethiopia and were on our way to meet friends in Bangalore, India. From there we were flying to Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau. Only five days left.
On the flight to India, the people were very noisy, or at least it seemed that way. Lack of sleep has a way of magnifying sounds.
I noticed the flight attendants whispering among themselves. They looked concerned. Shortly after, the pilot came on the public address system and I understood why. He announced very calmly, "Please pay careful attention. We have had a bomb threat on this plane. You must be calm. We will not taxi to the air terminal, but land at the far end of the airstrip. You will be taken to the terminal by bus."
The plane was suddenly very quiet. The incessant, loud chatter turned to silence. Everyone was deep in thought, evaluating their life, no doubt. I know I was. My first thoughts were, "Well, Lord, maybe I'll see You today. That would be wonderful." I had such a calm and peaceful spirit - -it didn't seem normal. I recognized that this was the benefit of knowing I was in the center of God's will. There was no fear in facing Him. In fact, great joy filled my heart about the probability of seeing Him soon. What peace, perfect peace!
Elisabeth Elliot, a well-known author and speaker, once told a group of women that the safest place a person could be is in the center of God's will. I experienced this truth that day. We were certainly relieved when the bomb threat turned out to be a false alarm. But even during the time of wondering if the plane might be blown to bits, I felt safe. I was exactly where God wanted me to be.
What about you? Are you feeling bound by destructive fear? You don't have to be!
Anchoring your soul by faith in Jesus is the foundation for a spiritual journey that will bring you fulfillment. You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here's a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Saviour and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.
If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you'll experience life to the fullest.
~ Katherine Kehler is the founder of Christian Women Today, and Women Today Magazine. She has four children and eight grandchildren. Recently she published her first book, Women Today Online: A Dream Come True.